Georgia on my mind

I really thought my next blog post would be about the ups and downs of rescue.  Obviously I've been quiet for 2 months and that's not for lack of something to say, I think it's just plain exhaustion and a bit of feeling overwhelmed.  But I'll write more about the roller coaster of animal rescue another time.

This entry is about a lot of things.  It's about football, Nebraska and Missouri football, racism, a families strength to rise above bigotry, it's about a dog, a woman and a rescue on a crisp October morning.


I'm a big time Nebraska football fan.  I have been since I was a little girl when I'd get up early on Saturday mornings and drive the 3 hours to Lincoln for the chance to go to the game with my grandfather or dad.  There wasn't anything better.  I loved the football, but it was such a wonderful bonding time for my family.  Over the years, I've maintained a collection of stories in my head from players long past.  One of my favorites is the story of George Filppin.


I know you're wondering what this has to do with huskies and rescue.  Stay with me, I'll try not to get to my point soon.  This story is facinating and amazing.  Try to imagine the era, imagine the location.... Swedish and German settled small town Nebraska...


George Albert Flippin was born February 8, 1868 in Ohio to Charles and Mahala Flippin.  His father, Charles, was a freed slave who fought in the Civil War on behalf of the Union in the 14th US Colored Troops Co. A.  After Mahala died in 1871, Charles and his two children moved to Marion County, Kansas. Charles attended The Bennett Eclectic Medical School in Chicago and became a doctor.  In 1885 Charles married Mary Bell Reed, a white physician, who was also a graduate of the Bennett Eclectic Medical School.  In 1888 the Flippin family moved to Henderson, NE to set up a clinic and pharmacy.


George Flippin attended the University of Nebraska from 1891 to 1894.  He was the first black football player for the University.  Missouri refused to play a scheduled football game, forfeiting 1-0, because of Flippin’s presence on the team.  He was the first black player inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1974.


George married Georgia Smith in 1893.  Georgia, from Des Moines, Iowa was a piano student at the Nebraska Conservatory of Music in Lincoln prior to their marriage.  They moved to Chicago where George attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons.  After graduating, George and Georgia moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas where George practiced medicine.  They had two children, Dorothy May (Jeffers) and Robert Browning Flippin. 


In 1907 George moved to Stromsburg where his father and stepmother had established a medical practice in 1901.  He built the first hospital in Stromsburg, which is now the local Bed and Breakfast.  George was part of the first civil rights case in Nebraska when he was denied service at a York restaurant.  He received the first warrant issued by York’s police court for speeding.  Contrary to local legend, George Flippin did not own one of the first automobiles in Stromsburg.  That notoriety belonged to his father, Charles.


George was a respected physician and surgeon, known across the county and state for his willingness to make house calls regardless of the distance or the ability of the family to pay.  George Flippin died May 15,1929 and is the only African-American buried in the Stromsburg Cemetery.


So... can you imagine the strength of character it took for either George or his father Charles to do what they did at that time?  It's sad that, as someone who grew up in the state of Nebraska, never heard of George until I found an old picture of the football team.  I saw a black player and wondered who he was and researched the story.  There weren't many teams that allowed players of color on their teams in the 1960's and even 1970's let alone the 1800's!  Where was George in our Nebraska history books?  

So, back to today.  It's October 30th and it's a gorgeous football Saturday in Nebraska.  Air is crisp, the sky is clear and the Huskers play Missouri this afternoon.  I always think of George Flippin on Missouri game week.  Missouri refused to play Nebraska back in the day because George, a Black man was on the team.  Missouri forfeited that game.  Shame on you Missouri.

On Thursday of this week, I got a call from a shelter in Columbia, MO (home of the University of Missouri) where there was a husky that was going to be put to sleep on Friday because she protected a bone that she'd been given.


Columbia is about 5 hours away from us.  I asked for a few extra days to try to find someone to transport and to foster.  My friend, Georgia, stepped up and said she'd give up her Saturday and make the drive.  By late this afternoon, we'll have our 2nd rescue dog with us.


Naming our dogs has been half the fun.  We decided however campy it was, we would name our dogs after famous Nebraskans, so what to name our new dog.....


I kept thinking that it was too bad we weren't picking up a boy dog, I'd name him George after Mr. Flippin,   The dog is in a shelter in the same town as the University of Missouri and after all, this is Missouri weekend for Nebraska.  And then I thought, "eureka!" (another inside joke since there's a Eureka, MO), Georgia is picking up the dog... George is similar to Georgia that will work!  It was only later that I realized that George Flippin's wife was also named Georgia!  I just love serendipitous moments!


Godspeed Georgia and Georgia!  And welcome home!!!  This weekend is the beginning of your new life!  We will work hard to find you a wonderful, forever home!